The power of podcasts

Cape Breton Post

Published: Apr 15 at 9:44 p.m.

['Jill Ellsworth']

Columnist Jill Ellsworth shares some of her favourites

SYDNEY — When I lived in Halifax, I spent a lot of time alone.

Whether it was doing housework, walking around downtown, or on long drives to and from the island, I needed something to occupy my mind and stave off the boredom. Thankfully, it was this alone time that led me to fall in love with podcasts.

I can’t explain why it took me so long to give them a chance. I mean, that little purple icon sits on your phone screen day after day, but do you ever click it? If not, now is the time. Podcasts are the best! They’ve allowed me to learn so much, and be so entertained while doing things that would otherwise be totally mindless.

I put together a list of a few of my favourites to get you started. These are the shows that play while I’m in the shower, getting ready for the day, driving to work…and during almost any moment of downtime I have. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do, and I’d love to hear about your personal favourite shows as well!

My Favourite Murder

This is the podcast that started it all for me. The name is a bit jarring, and if you don’t use humour to deal with darkness, this might not be the podcast for you. MFM is a true-crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. We’re living in a time where people are fascinated by the inner workings of the criminal brain, and the details of the world’s most heinous crimes. Karen and Georgia take a light-hearted approach to sharing these stories, reading through articles while inserting moments of humour and reflections on their own experiences. The community of listeners, called “murderinos” have taken the show to the next level, creating awareness campaigns against violence, and encouraging alertness and other safety practices. MFM is a tough one to explain to outsiders, but if you’re interested in true crime, you’ll find yourself becoming a murderino in no time.

Turn Me On

Turn Me On is a local podcast, created and recorded in Halifax. The show, hosted by married couple Jeremie and Bryde, focuses on de-stigmatization and discovery of all things sexual. Jeremie and Bryde aren’t what you might consider a traditional married couple; they are polyamorous, which means they can be sexually or romantically involved with multiple people at the same time. Their topics cover everything from bondage and porn, to shame about sex and sexuality, and they feature guests who are experts in their field. Turn Me On offers a no-holds-barred conversation about sex, with the added bonus of lots of laughs.

Heaven’s Gate

I thought I knew all there was to know about the Heaven’s Gate cult…until I listened to this podcast. Host Glynn Washington dives deep into the notorious cult, featuring in depth interviews with former members, and families who lost their loved ones in the 1997 mass suicide. Washington even offers his own story, about growing up in a religion he now considers a cult as well. It’s an eye-opening expose of one of the world’s most famous cults and their ultimate faith in the world of the next level.

Stuff You Should Know

SYSN is the perfect podcast for people who just love learning. During each episode, hosts Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark dive into a topic completely unrelated to the last, and give you an hour-long breakdown of what it’s all about. Their episodes range from vaping, to trickle-down economics, and even the New England vampire panics. You can honestly learn something new every day from this podcast which is in the process of being turned into its own television show!

Ear Hustle

It’s hard for me to choose an all-time favourite podcast, but this one might just take the cake. Ear Hustle was created, recorded and produced all within the walls of San Quentin State Prison. Nigel Poor is a visual artist who comes into the prison to host workshops and provide a creative outlet for inmates. She teamed up with Earlonne Woods, who is currently serving 31 years-to-life for attempted second-degree robbery. Together, the pair bring you the stories of life inside prison, from the mouths of those living through it. It’s an incredible look into the American prison system that keeps you hooked throughout every episode.

Jill Ellsworth is a freelance writer who lives in Dominion. Her column appears monthly in the Cape Breton Post. She can be reached at jillellsworth94@gmail.com